Story perspectives

Thousands Protest in Jerusalem, Welcome Released Draft Evaders

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 2:33 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox protesters marched in Jerusalem, welcoming draft evaders released from prison on September 29, 2026.
The Jerusalem Faction (Peleg Yerushalmi) organized the anti-IDF draft protest.
Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot condemned the march as a “government of evasion” on X.
Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman called it a “welcome parade” for draft evaders and urged Netanyahu to denounce it.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 Israel passed the Tal Law, granting draft exemptions to ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students and igniting a national debate. The law covered about 30 % of eligible men, drew secular criticism, and was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2012. The Jerusalem Faction march, led by Peleg Yerushalmi and backed by Gadi Eisenkot and Avigdor Liberman, revives those tensions as lawmakers consider conscription reforms.

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Story summary

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox protesters marched in Jerusalem, welcoming draft evaders released from prison on September 29, 2026.
The Jerusalem Faction (Peleg Yerushalmi) organized the anti-IDF draft protest.
Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot condemned the march as a “government of evasion” on X.
Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman called it a “welcome parade” for draft evaders and urged Netanyahu to denounce it.

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